Caller threatens New Boston officials

NEW BOSTON — Two New Boston officials want a complaint filed and investigation made into recent anonymous threats made against them by them telephone.

New Boston Mayor James Warren said somebody called him earlier this month and threatened New Boston Fire Chief Chris Bender and New Boston Village Administrator Steve Hamilton. The nature and wording of the threat was not released, and the caller cannot be positively identified. Warren said he does believe he knows who it was, but would not release the name because it has not been confirmed at this time.

Hamilton and Bender said they believe the matter may be related to a condemned house in the village.

“The thing of it is, Steve is just doing his job — and of course, myself … people just think we’re out to get them. It’s not that way,” Bender said.

In addition to the threatening call, Hamilton said someone has spray-painted obscene comments about himself and Bender on the house and on the condemned signs posted by the village. Like the caller, Warren said they can’t prove at this time who put the graffiti on the house.

Both Hamilton and Bender said they are concerned and would like to see a complaint filed and an investigation started to prosecute the person or persons responsible. They both said they cannot legally file a complaint with the police department because they did not personally receive the call. The only person who can file that complaint is Mayor Warren.

“Nowadays anytime someone is threatened it has to be taken serious,” Bender said.

Hamilton agreed and said this isn’t even the first time he’s been threatened.

“I get threatened a lot by people, but if it is this one person this is twice he’s threatened me. But I don’t know if it’s him or not, because the mayor said he didn’t know who called. So I don’t know who it is,” Hamilton said. “And then my kids find out about it on Facebook, and they’re a nervous wreck.”

Warren said anytime a public official is threatened it needs to be taken seriously.

“We will not tolerate any threats against any village employee,” Warren said. “Action will be taken if we can confirm and identify the individual. Charges will be filed against that person.”

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.

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